Vols have plenty of secondary options
The battles for three spots in the Tennessee secondary has been as contested as any this camp, but it seems some players are starting to separate themselves from the pack.
Speaking to media Friday, defensive coordinator Bob Shoop lent some insight into who is starting to take control of certain positions in the defensive backfield.
Since the Vols scrimmage last Saturday, Shoop said junior Emmanuel Moseley has separated himself from the pack to secure the starting cornerback spot opposite senior Cameron Sutton.
“I think everybody recognizes he has good length, he's a tough guy, he's got good, valuable experience — he had an interception in the bowl game last year. He's just got to continue to make plays,” Shoop said of Moseley. “He's in position the majority of the time. He's just got to continue to make plays.”
Moseley had 11 pass break ups and one interception last season. He started seven games at corner and played in all 13 of Tennessee's games.
Shoop said Moseley has had a really good camp and been one of the most consistent and productive defensive backs.
“We give our what we call 'Swarm Points' for productivity during the course of camp and LaTroy Lewis led our defensive line and DK — Darrin Kirkland — led our linebackers and he (Moseley) won the award for the secondary guys,” Shoop said.
“I thought really this week he had really good Monday and Tuesday practices, the last two practices before schools started. I think I saw him take his game to the next level. He started to become more physical, challenge routes and be more productive. I thought he had a really good camp.”
Redshirt sophomore Rashaan Gaulden, who had been practicing at both nickel and safety, has started working more and more at nickel this past week.
“He's probably a little bit better closer to the ball — when he gets his hands on a receiver, when he triggers in the run game a little more,” Shoop said
“When you watch Rashaan trigger in the run game he does an excellence job of that. He can cover a slot receiver, he can blitz, all those things.”
Gaulden was in line to be the Vols' starting nickelback last season before going down with a season-ending foot injury in fall camp. Malik Foreman started at nickel for Tennessee last and had 45 total tackles and one interception.
Gaulden will presumably continue to work at safety, as Shoop sees the skill set required for both positions to be very similar.
“I've said this before, I think even the players have said this to you guys, the nickel position the job description is very similar to that of the safety and I kind of like to think of those guys are interchangeable parts,” Shoop said. “So, I think between Rashaan, Micah (Abernathy), TK (Todd Kelly), they've got a nice feel for one another in there.”
The competition for the safety position opposite Kelly is still in full swing. Shoop has a number of options from which to choose.
“Between he (Foreman), Rashaan, Micah, TK, Nigel (Warrior), there's five guys for three positions. Really, Stephen Griffin has had a really good camp too, so six guys for three positions that are pretty interchangeable,” Shoop said.